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RC News: RC Leaders Participate in HIRI Panel, Participate in National Aging in Place Week
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RC Leadership Participates on HIRI Panel
Remodelors Council leaders recently participated in a panel discussion on what remodelers would like to see from manufacturers, distributors and retailers during the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) conference in September.
Remodelors Council Chairman Doug Sutton, CGR, CAPS, led the panel discussion with RC Vice Chairman Don Novak, CGR, CAPS, CKB, GMB; Immediate Past President Mike Weiss, CGR, CAPS; Chairman of the CGR Board of Governors Mike Nagel, CGR, CAPS; and Don Stash, CGR, a remodeler and RC member from Indiana. The discussion centered on “stepping up to meet the needs of today’s remodeling professional.” It included what steps manufacturers, distributors and venders need to take to better meet the needs of their remodeler customers.
“It’s not often that remodelers are requested to speak to manufacturers about issues and concerns we have about this relationship," said Nagel. "The HIRI attendees were very receptive to our comments and asked many question during the question and answer period and at lunch where members were actually assigned to tables because of the high demand to sit with us and pick our brains. It was a great experience and is always exciting to get our opinions and concerns across to our oh-so-important partners in this industry.”
According the Weiss, “One point that really seemed to resonate with them was Don Novak's suggestion about furnishing DVD or video training on installation of some products. We did make the point also that remodelers are much more like general contractors than home builders. Our number one objective from a supplier is service not price. We are king when it comes to product selection in that whatever we recommend carries a great deal or weight.”
Participate in National Aging In Place Week 2004
The National Advisory Council for Aging in Place, a group organized by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, currently is making plans for National Aging in Place Week 2004 (AIP) to be held Nov. 7-13.
The Advisory Council, supported by the NAHB Remodelors™ Council, NAHB Seniors Housing Council and the NAHB Research Center, will organize AIP Week activities in up to 25 cities to highlight public and private sector programs — including healthcare, transportation, housing and other supportive services — that enable seniors to live in their homes longer. The primary objectives are to:
- Raise the general public's awareness of AIP issues
- Build a lasting coalition of allied business professionals in each community who can work together to help homeowners live in their homes as long as possible
Last year, NRMLA convened the National Advisory Council for Aging in Place to help coordinate the inaugural National Aging In Place Week. Events were hosted in seven cities to demonstrate the need for consumer education about home modification and other strategies that promote successful aging in place. Other activities were a well-attended AIP Summit at NAHB headquarters in Washington, DC, the publication of the NRMLA Guide to Aging in Place, and the launch of the SeniorsSafeHome.com.
To learn how to become involved in National Advisory Council for Aging in Place activities this year, contact Louis Tenenbaum, 301-983-0131, or Darryl Hicks, 202-939-1784.
Also, if you are involved in one of the many Aging in Place Week programs, let us know. E-mail Melanie Hinton about your participation.
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